i will agree with you that it would be cool to look down at my lines and see that they are made in the usa. in fact, when i first got my lines, i was surprised and a little disappointed to see the "made in china" label etched into the midsole.
however, I don't necessarily think it is wrong for a company to want to increase profit margin. it's being able to make the most money that incentivizes businesses to work hard. i bet you the top dogs at line still make a relatively small figure compared to other business execs at other companies outside the industry. and neither do i think it is unethical for them to be giving jobs to chinese workers. many businesses have excellent relations with their workers overseas, and they actually provide them with a means to live. is it unethical to provide people with jobs and money, regardless of what country it is?
as for china passing us as an economic superpower, this is definitely a widely spread misconception. china has a 9.4 percent urban unemployment rate, which is about in line with the USA's overall unemployment rate. however, when we look at there rural unemployment rate, this number jumps up to around 20 percent. in 2009. china's GDP was just under 5 trillion. adjusted for purchasing power, this jumps up to just over 9 trillion. despite having a population that is only 1/4 the size of china's, the USA's GDP was over 14 trillion when adjusting for purchasing power, and almost 15 trillion unadjusted. the USA's average income was 4 times as great as china's as well ($48,000 and under $4000 respectively). of course there is the argument that china's economy is grower at a much more rapid rate than the US, which is true. however, history tells us that just because there has been a trend for the past 30 years, doesn't mean it is going to continue. for an example, just look at Japan's staggering growth rates from 1970 to the early 1990's followed by an essential flatline for almost the last 2 decades. China's growth, too, faces obstacles such as limited natural resources relative to the population, a restrictive government, and a labor force that will decrease by 1/5 within the next couple generations.
again, i concede that my arguments may be flawed due to my limited knowledge on the subject, and the fact that my future projections, are simply projections, just like anyone else who projects china will overtake us in the future. there is no way of actually being able to tell. still, i do believe my viewpoints are realistic from an economic standpoint, which, after all, is a social science, a study of what motivates people as consumers and businesses, rather than a mere study of figures.
in the end, i agree with you that it would be great to see Line's and K2's skis to be made in the USA, and respect your views in why you don't want to support these businesses until they do. but for me, i see no wrong in supporting companies that want to do well financially. i have always received quality products from line, despite their foreign make (again, this may not be the case for someone else). by supporting line i am still supporting american employees as well as chinese ones, which is alright by me.
